Locking mechanism for adjustable jaw wrench



Nov. 11, 1958 w. A. BARNES LOCKING MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTABLE JAW WRENCH Filed Oct. 19. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. M/ML/AM A. fiAAA/As ATTORNEYS Nov. 11, 1958 w. A. BARNES 2,85

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTABLE JAW WRENCH Filed Oct. 19, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tia. E1.

IN V EN TOR. W/L L m M 4. 23A RAIL-S LOCKING lvmcnANrsM FOR ADJUSTABLE j JAW WRENCH This invention relates in general to the sliding side jaw wrench art, and releates more specifically to a novel lock for such a wrench and, more particularly, it pertains to a lock wrench which is especially designed to eliminate the blind spots which are characteristic of heretofore known wrenches.

Sliding side jaw wrenches are operated by a drive worm gear intermeshed with a rack carried by the sliding jaw. There are many known devices to lock the sliding jaw in selected positions to gain some of the advantages of an open end wrench, with the desired adjustable nature of the sliding side jaw. Most such lock device depend upon the interfitting of non-circular members, and most employ a splined or multi-sided shaft shiftable into and out of engagement with the worm gear to effect holding engagement.

The suggestion of a splined or shaped shaft will indicate at once that additional cost is involved but the bigger hindrance has been the fact that a ruggedly constructed shaft of reasonable cost will also limit the number of possible interlocking positions and hence will cause larger spacing requirements between lock positions. These nontates Patent lock intermediate areas are referred to as blind spots in the lockable series.

The presence of blind spots in conventional wrenches is traceable indirectly to the fact that the locking elements are located within the head of the wrench. As previously indicated, such a design is seriously limited, because to eliminate blind spots it wouldbe necessary to increase the sides of the splined portions at increased expense. Furthermore, the number ofsides of the splined sections cannot be increased indefinitely, because a point is reached at which the splined sections will not register due to the clearance between the elements. Quite unexpectedly, I have found that blind spots in lock wrenches can be reduced substantially by my novel construction without incurring the expense of increasing the number of sides of splined sections in heretofore known lock wrenches.

An object of this invention is to provide a lock wrench in which blind spots are reduced substantially.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel lock wrench substantially free of blind spots and having a manufacturing cost advantage over heretofore known lock wrenches.

Other advantages and objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

A fuller understanding of this invention will be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a sliding side jaw wrench, partly in cross-section, illustrating the locking mechanism of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end sectional view of Figure 1 to much enlarged scale taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the locking sleeve shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the blank which is later formed into the locking sleeve shown in Figure 3;

Patented Nov. 11, 1958 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view to enlarged scale of a locking mechanism illustrating another form of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a side sectional view of the locking sleeve which is employed in Figure 5 as taken along line 6-6 of Figure 7; and

Figure 7 is any end view of the locking sleeve shown in Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1-4, inclusive, in the drawings, the wrench comprises a general arrangement of a handle 10 with a head portion 12 having a fixed jaw 12A formed integrally therewith. A sliding side jaw 14 is adjustably carried by head portion 12. The head portion 12 contains a longitudinal opening 13 which forms a channel or guide-way for movable jaw 14. The movable jaw carries a rack 15 and it is capable of variable setting relative to the fixed jaw 12A by manipulation of a worm 17. The worm is slidably supported on a shaft 18 which in turn is slidably supported within an opening 20, which is hidden from view of the operator, and an opening 21. The openings 20 and 21 are oppositely disposed relative to a transverse opening 23 in the immovable jaw of the wrench. The worm 17 has a portion of its bore 25 splined for engagement with the splined section 27 of the shaft 18. By this arrangement the shaft 18 and the worm 17 rotate as a single unit when the shaft is in an operative position for adjustment of the relative settings of jaw 12A and jaw 14. The elements just described constitute parts of an illustrative wrench in which the locking mechanism of the present invention is employed.

The locking mechanism comprises a locking sleeve 30 and a locking cap 31. The locking sleeve 30 is resiliently held within the supporting opening 21 of the head 12. As shown in Figure 3, the locking sleeve 30 is split longitudinally so that in manufacturing the wrench the sides of the sleeve are pressed together and inserted within the supporting opening 21. This locking sleeve contains an oblique slot 33 for a portion of its width. The slot 33 can also be transversely disposed relative to the sleeve. However, by the use of the oblique slot shown in Figure 3, the detents 35 are attached to the main body of the sleeve over a greater area than the widths of ends 36. This feature of the locking sleeve provides longer life and reduces the tendency for the detents to rupture or fracture with use. The locking cap i aflixed by suitable means to the projecting end of shaft 18. The cap 31 forms an annular recess 38 with the shaft 18, as shown in Figure 2. The inside surface of the cap 31 is serrated to form a rack 40. In the locked position of the wrench the detents 35 toenail or are in locking engagement with the rack 40. The sleeve 30 is locked to the head portion 12, and the cap 31 is lockable to the sleeve, thereby preventing the shaft from rotating. As previously indicated, the shaft 18 and the worm 17 are in splined registry and for that reason the worm is locked against rotation.

It is apparent from the construction of the wrench shown in Figures 14, inclusive, that the blind spots usually associated with heretofore known wrenches are substantially reduced. In the present invention the number of positions in which the rack 4%) can engage with the detents 35 is increased substantially over those wrenches in which locking of the worm against rotation is accomplished through splined registry of the head, the shaft and the worm. It is to be noted from the construction shown in Figure 1 that in the outer limiting position of the shaft shown by the dotted lines 42 of the locking cap 31, the shaft is held within the wrench by virtue of the end of the polygonal section 27 of the wrench abutting against the locking sleeve 30.

In the wrench shown in Figures 5-7, inclusive, the worm 45 is slidably and rotatably mounted on a shaft 46. The shaft 46 contains a splined section 47 and similarly the worm 45 contains a splined section 48. The shaft is supported by means of a hidden opening 50 within the head 51 of the wrench and another supporting opening *53. These openings are disposed at opposite sides of a transverse opening 54 in the head 51. For a'short length of the shaft the diameter is increased to form anenlarged section 56. Another portion 'ofthe shaft-57 is of enlarged cross-section, and the enlarged sections 56 and 57 are separated by shaft segment 58. The shaft segment 58 represents the extent of longitudinal travel of the shaft and serves to delineate two limiting positions, one being the position at which the shaft is locked against rotation and the other position at which the shaft is capable of rotation.

At one end of the worm 45 is found a recess 60 containing disposed therein a ring 61. This ring 61 serves to abut against shoulders 63and 64 which represent the two limiting positions of the shaft in 'its longitudinal travel. The locking mechanism of this invention comprises a locking sleeve 65 and a locking cap66. 'The locking sleeve is resiliently held Within the supporting opening 53 in the head of the wrench. As shown in Figure 6, the locking sleeve contains an enlarged end 68 which is formed by means of a transverse slot*69. This enlarged end of the sleeve is serrated, as shown: in Figure 7. The serrated end68 of the sleeve is split in order to provide expansion when in locking engagement with the locking cap 66. The locking cap is aflixed to'the projecting end of shaft 46 and it contains a serrated section 70 which is adapted for engagement with the serrated end of the locking sleeve. Therefore, in one limiting position of the shaft, the serrated section 70 of'the locking cap engages the serrated end 68 of the locking sleeve to lock the shaft against rotation. In turn, the splined sections 47 and 48 of the shaft and worm, respectively, are engaged and thereby the worm is locked against rotation.

Having thus provided a written description of my invention along with specific examples thereof, it should be understood that no undue limitations or restrictions are to be imposed by reason thereof but that the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a slidable side jaw wrench provided with a worm and rack form of adjusting means for the slidable jaw, a worm housing port laterally through the body of said Wrench, said worm positioned within said port and in gear drive relationship with said side jaw, the improvement of which includes, a multiple portion bore extending in the plane of said wrench across said port to the wrench surface, a worm gear mounting shaft bearinged in said bore for longitudinal shiftability, said shaft extending to the exterior of said Wrench, said worm mounted on said shaft within said wrench port, interlocking surface means between said worm and shaft providing relative non-rotatability with relative axial shiftability, a first lock member carried on the end of said shaftexterior of said wrench body, a second lock member carried in fixed relationship to said wrench body, said first lock member shiftable into and out of engagement with said second lock member to establish a like condition of said worm and slidable jaw.

2. In a slidable side jaw wrench provided with a worm and rack form of adjusting means for the slidable jaw, a worm housing port laterally through the body of said wrench, said worm positioned Within said port and in gear drive relationship with said side jaw, the improvement of which includes, a multiple portion bore extending in the plane of said wrench across said port to the wrench surface, a Worm gear mounting shaft bearinged in said bore for longitudinal shiftability, said shaft extending to the exterior of said Wrench, said Worm mounted on said shaft within said Wrench port,"interlocking surface means 'between'said worm and shaft providing relative non-rotatability With relative axial shiftability,

said multiple portion bore including a portion extending from said port to the wrench surface, a locking sleeve non-rotatively fixed around said shaft in said portion of the bore, said locking sleeve having detent means, a lock member carried on the end of said shaft exterior of said wrench, said lock member having a multiplicity of teeth lockable with said detent 'means'to prevent relative rotation of-said shaft, whereby the slidable jaw may be moved in small increments and locked into a selected position by shifting the lock means into engagement with said detent means.

3. In aslidable side jaw wrench provided with a worm and rack form of adjusting means for the slidable jaw, a Worm housing port laterallythroughthe body of said wrench, said worm positioned within said port and in gear drive relationship with said side jaw, the improvement ofwhich includes, a multiple portion bore extending in the plane of said wrench across saidport to the wrench surface, aworm gear mounting shaft bearinged in said bore for longitudinal shiftability, said shaft extending'to the exterior of said wrench, said worm mounted on said shaft within'said wrench port, interlocking surface means between said Worm and shaft providing relative non-rotatability with relative axial shiftability, said multiple portion bore including a portion extending from said port to the wrench surface, a locking sleeve non-rotatively fixed around said shaft in said portion of the bore, said locking sleeve having detent projection portion means, a lock cap carried by the end of said shaft exterior of said wrench, said cap having a flange edge, said flange edge proportioned to bind with said projection portion, whereby the cap may be shifted into locked engagement with said detent and hence hold the shaft, the worm, and the slidable jaw in a selected position of adjustment.

4. In a slidable side jaw wrench provided with a worm and rack form of adjusting means for the slidable jaw, a worm housing port laterally through the body of said wrench, said worm positioned within said port and in gear drive relationship with said side jaw, the improvement of which includes, a multiple portion bore extending in the plane of said wrench across said port to the wrench surface, a worm gear mounting shaft bearinged in said bore for longitudinal shiftability, said shaft extending to the exterior of said Wrench, said worm mounted on said shaft Within said wrench port, interlocking surface means between said worm and shaft providing relative non-rotatability with relative axial shiftability, said multiple portion bore including a portion extending from said port to the wrench surface, a locking sleeve non-rotatively fixed around said shaft in said portion of the bore, said locking sleeve having detent projection portion means, a lock cap carried by the end of said shaft exterior of said wrench, said cap having a flange edge, said flange edge having a multiplicity of serrations proportioned to interlock with said projection portion, whereby the cap may be shifted into locked engagement with said detent and hence hold the shaft, the worm, and the slidable jaw in a selected position of adjustment.

5. In a slidable side jaw wrench provided with a worm and rack form of adjusting means for the slidable jaw, a worm housing port laterally through the body of said wrench, said worm positioned within said port and in gear drive relationship with said side jaw, the improvement of which includes, a multple portion bore extending in the plane of said wrench across said port to the wrench surface, a worm gear mounting shaft bearinged in said bore for longitudinal shiftability, said shaft extending to the exterior of said wrench, said Worm mounted on said shaft within saidwrench port, interlocking surface means between said worm and shaft providing relative non-rotatability with relative axial shiftability, said multiple'portion bore including a portion extending from said port to the wrench surface, a locking sleeve non-rotatively fixed IOu d'said shaft-insaid portion of the bore, said locking sleeve having one end thereof split and opened into a pair of detent fingers, said fingers positioned at the wrench surface, a lock cap carried by the end of said shaft exterior of said wrench, said cap having a flange edge, said flange edge having a multiplicity of serrations on the interior wall of said flange edge proportioned to lock with said fingers, whereby the cap may be shifted into locked engagement with said detent and hence hold the shaft, the Worm, and the slidable jaw in a selected position of adjustment.

6. In a slidable side jaw Wrench provided with a worm and rack form of adjusting means for the slidable jaw, a worm housing port laterally through the body of said Wrench, said worm positioned within said port and in gear drive relationship with said side jaw, the improvement of which includes, a multple portion bore extending in the plane of said wrench across said port to the wrench surface, a worm gear mounting shaft bearinged in said bore for longitudinal shiftability, said shaft extending to the exterior of said wrench, said worm mounted on said shaft within said Wrench port, interlocking surface means between said worm and shaft providing relative non-rotatability with relative axial shiftability, said multiple portion bore including a portion extending from said port to the wrench surface, a locking sleeve non-rotatively fixed around said shaft in said portion of the bore, said locking sleeve having one end thereof formed into a serrated barrel, said serrated barrel positioned at the wrench sur- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 979,327 Morrill Dec. 20, 1910 983,628 Lindsay Feb. 7, 1911 1,148,410 Smith et a1. July 27, 1915 1,599,162 Brown Sept. 7, 1926 1,985,371 Hascall Dec. 25, 1934 2,309,529 Orchard Jan. 26, 1943 2,719,449 Johnson Oct. 4, 1955 2,780,124 Lyons Feb. 7, 1957 

